Going down to the Stadium to watch Wales play or to watch the Ospreys, Scarlets, Dragons or Blues is a great experience, particularly when the sun is shining and the teams are winning - the game is everything. But there is something special, too, about being a member of a club that plays in Division 3 whether or not you are the home side or the away, for with your senses alert you can enjoy the whole experience of village rugby.
On Bank Holiday Saturday on a splendid sunny afternoon over 60 Rhigos players, family and supporters went down to Llanelli to play New Dock Stars. We went into the car park before the game and admired the field looking really perfect, then into an immaculate clubhouse with spacious bar, lounge and concert hall. The players went off to change in well appointed dressing rooms. Both teams were well turned out in club colours both before and after the match. Curry rice and chips provided for all the visitors even though there was a wedding reception in the evening.
The game itself was a cracker with a final scoreline of 31 points to Rhigos and 28 to Stars and well refereed throughout by Alastair.
Banter and speeches in the club after the match with Lewis Morgan the captain of Rhigos happily taking the Dai Morris shield back home.
Emori and Greg were well pleased and with good reason. 22 players went down from Rhigos and just about held out to deserve their victory even though there was a twitching of the foofoo valve and some nail nibbling here and there among the visiting supporters.
Rhigos surged into an early lead when Shane Williams ran in from 30 metres after some excellent work by James Lewis and Jon Smith. Then James Lewis scored after some good off loading and passing from the forwards. Jonny Smith then broke down the blind and sent Shane haring down the touchline and when he was checked he tossed it inside for Lewis to score. Brandon converted 2 of them.
Stars struck back with a rolling maul from the tail of a lineout that ended with a try in the corner which was converted with a fine kick. Rhigos though scored again just before halftime when the mighty Liam crashed over for our fourth try. Four tries to one at half time was enough to bring the smiles to everyone's face. Particularly Emori, who has been working hard to get the players into the swing of his 15 man game. It was the best 40 minutes we have played in quite a while.
In the second half we tried for more of the same but visibly wilted under the sun and with Stars having far more numbers in their squad they quietly gained the upper hand and what had looked a comfortable 24 points to 7 half time lead began to as Stars scored 2 more converted tries to take their score to 21 points.
We stayed true to Emori's principles however and after a series of rucks and offlaods and passes Ben Morris went over under the posts and Brandon converted. 31 points.
By now we were blowing and it was no surprise to see Stars camp in our 22 and finally break the defence to score another converted try to bring the score to 31points to 28. And so it stayed at no-side.
What a day! Fantastic tribute to both teams and their coaches, the referee and all the volunteers that worked hard to present the whole of the experience. The very best of grass roots village rugby.
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